Check THIS out! I'm speculating that this will yield 1-3 mpg on 4X4's. This conversion reduces rolling resistance from your front axle. Plus, there seems to be a number of other benefits. I might have to try this one. I need ball joints anyway.

I just completed that mod on my 96. Re-drilled spindles from a Ford Dana 50, my goal was to get rid of the unit bearings, after rounding up the parts and drilling the spindles it went on just like it was a kit. Still have snow on the ground so the manual hubs are still locked.

Ditch your tailgate and use an air gate, or none at all. I get 2mpg better with mine down, but it's a long bed Quad Cab.

When I got back home after I bought it in Az. I pout the gate in my storage unit.

Ya right, 2 mpg better. It has been proven several times in wind tunnel and on the road tests that stock tailgate up will give you better mileage than with it down or an air gate. Ever watch Mythbusters?

97 3500, 2 WD, G56, slightly bombed, 1.2 million miles. Started the second million on 8/24/13
If you are lucky enough to be in Texas, you are lucky enough.To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 3 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I just completed that mod on my 96. Re-drilled spindles from a Ford Dana 50, my goal was to get rid of the unit bearings, after rounding up the parts and drilling the spindles it went on just like it was a kit. Still have snow on the ground so the manual hubs are still locked.

Floyd

Kinda went shopping for parts at wrecking yards today. No luck though. What do you mean "re-drilled?"

Im a freshmen at Texas Lutheran University so my truck usually is parked for most of the week. The only driving that I do is going to work twice a week which is about 20 miles total, and going home every other weekend which is 140 miles round trip on the highway. With a cold air intake, intake manifold, straight pipe, tires running at 80 psi, and a clean fuel system im consistently getting about 22-24 highway and 19-20 in town. (This is all with a light foot) Going to be bumping up the timing to 15 degrees this week, and possibly some new injectors soon! Ive found that by just having a light foot i really gain quite a bit of mileage. Only other thing you can do to be more efficient is to park the truck and leave it!!!

I have a lo-pro toolbox on my longbed and want to add a bed cover, so I'm going to have to get an adapter made so I can get the box's latches! But I know from experience on a mi ni truck I owned, that the cover will ad somewhere around 2 mpg by itself.

The cost of a bed cover IS cost-effective. Even a canvas one will work.

Kinda went shopping for parts at wrecking yards today. No luck though. What do you mean "re-drilled?"

If you read through all of the Pirate 4X4 link, a lot of reading I know, they talk about two different ways to use Ford parts for the mod. One is to use Dana 60 parts and replace from the knuckles out with the Ford parts. The other, the one I did, you can use Dana 50 or 60 parts and replace from the spindle out, keeping the Dodge knuckles. But because Dodge has four bolts holding the spindle on and Ford has five you need to drill the Ford spindle to fit the Dodge bolt pattern.

I have a 98 dually 2WD with the NV4500 and 3.55 gearing. I keep my tail gate in the garage unless I need it. I run about 1,900 rpm on the highway and avg 22.5 mpg. With the camper and boat trailer I get 14.5 at 1,800. I try to drive carefully and don't give a hoot if the majority of the traffic is passing me. Recently I purchased a 30' 5th wheel. I have only towed it home and haven't really used it yet but the big hole between 3rd and 4th became a lot bigger on the steep climbs. My solution was to purchase a Gear Vendors overdrive. I haven't completely installed it yet, waiting for all the snow to go away. I expect to have a lot nicer towing experience but also to have an increase in fuel mileage when running empty. It amounts to a 22% gear reduction. I doubt that this upgrade would be a wise investment just for a fuel mileage increase for most as it would take a lot of miles to pay for it but it might be worth considering for those who put on a lot of miles.

I bought my Dodge used without knowing a lot about the virtues of various years, the 12 valve vs the 24 valve, different pumps, transmissions, etc, but I think I got one of the best built all things considered. I plan to keep it for a long time to come even if a re-power becomes necessary so I believe the overdrive was a good investment for me. I also thought about a 6 speed for towing but that wouldn't give me the double over.

I have a 98 dually 2WD with the NV4500 and 3.55 gearing. I keep my tail gate in the garage unless I need it. I run about 1,900 rpm on the highway and avg 22.5 mpg. With the camper and boat trailer I get 14.5 at 1,800. I try to drive carefully and don't give a hoot if the majority of the traffic is passing me. Recently I purchased a 30' 5th wheel. I have only towed it home and haven't really used it yet but the big hole between 3rd and 4th became a lot bigger on the steep climbs. My solution was to purchase a Gear Vendors overdrive. I haven't completely installed it yet, waiting for all the snow to go away. I expect to have a lot nicer towing experience but also to have an increase in fuel mileage when running empty. It amounts to a 22% gear reduction. I doubt that this upgrade would be a wise investment just for a fuel mileage increase for most as it would take a lot of miles to pay for it but it might be worth considering for those who put on a lot of miles.

I bought my Dodge used without knowing a lot about the virtues of various years, the 12 valve vs the 24 valve, different pumps, transmissions, etc, but I think I got one of the best built all things considered. I plan to keep it for a long time to come even if a re-power becomes necessary so I believe the overdrive was a good investment for me. I also thought about a 6 speed for towing but that wouldn't give me the double over.

This is a very interesting thread.

Karl

************************************************** ******

I have SERIOUSLY thought about this, but if you do this get one with 31% overdrive and leave the stock over drive button in the "off" position! that way you'll eliminate the stock overdrive problem.

The stock trans has a 31% overdrive.

The only problem with this is, you STILL have a piece of junk in front of that gear vendors, which WILL go out on you sooner or later!

They have junk for clutches.
Junk for bands.
Junk for torque converters.
Junk for planetaries.
And junk for overdrive components.

Gosh - what else is left to go bad?

That gear vendors is only a solution to 25% of your future problems. If you're like me you wish to heck that you'd have bought a truck with a 6-speed in it.

the 47 series of transmission is as strong as an automatic as u can get with a careful build and the right parts.
almost its not worth responding to comments like that except some darn'd fool readin yur comment might believe you

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